Looks like rain ahead, higher temperatures
Showers should put out wildfire threat, official says
The dry northerly flow over the past 12 days that whipped up gusts and brought several nights of freezing conditions is changing to its weather opposite – a mild moist flow with periods of rain through the weekend.
National Weather Service meteorologists said that about a half-inch of rain can be expected through Friday in Spokane and the Columbia Basin, while Coeur d’Alene could see 0.64 inches. As much as an inch of precipitation could fall in the mountains, and snow levels will vary from 4,500 feet to 6,000 feet in elevation.
It will be the first soaking rain in the Spokane region since Sept. 17 and should put an end to a lingering danger of wildfire, said John Livingston, meteorologist in charge of the Weather Service office in Spokane.
“I think the general message is it’s going to stay wet into the weekend,” he said.
Temperatures should move closer to normal for mid-October with highs in the middle 50s today and Thursday and in the mid-60s on Friday. Steady rain is expected Friday night and rain or showers Saturday and Sunday with continued mild temperatures. Lows should mostly be in the lower 40s. Winds should remain light.
The normal temperatures for Spokane this time of year are 61 for a high and 37 for a low.